📝Bio: Soham has been living and breathing football stories for almost a decade, carving his path as a news and SEO writer with an instinct for the big moments. Armed with an MA (Honours) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the game he adores. He joined GOAL in 2017 and has since made his mark covering the Indian Super League, I-League, and the Indian national team. Based in Kolkata, where football is a religion, he grew up watching Bhaichung Bhutia scoring goals for fun in India, before falling head over heels for Real Madrid, a club that now dictates the rhythm of his everyday life.⚽My Football Story: It all began back in 2002. A cricket bat in hand, ready to step out, but then the skies opened up. The rain kept me indoors, and that twist of fate led me to the sofa, beside my father, who had a football match on TV. Little did I know at the time but it was the World Cup final: Brazil vs Germany. Forget the goals – what grabbed my imagination was Ronaldo’s haircut and his iconic celebration. From there, cricket slowly faded and football fever took over. By my teenage years, I was sneaking out of bed at 1am to watch the Champions League - fair to say I was hooked for life.
🎯Areas of Expertise:
Social media-specific content
Premier League, Champions League, European & Indian football coverage
Tactical analysis on the Indian national team
World Cup & European Championship tournaments
🌟Favourite Footballing Memory: The day Mohun Bagan demolished East Bengal 5-3 in the Kolkata Derby, with Chidi Edeh scoring four - a moment when the city turned maroon and green. But nothing beats the spine-tingling sight of Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute header in Lisbon, the goal that crowned Real Madrid’s La Decima and etched itself into footballing history.📝My All-Time XI: Iker Casillas; Phillip Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Claude Makélélé, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane; Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Lionel Messi.
Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze after almost sealing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres. Having spent the past two months working to bring Gyokeres to North London, Arsenal are now ready to turn their full attention to bolstering their midfield by targeting Eze, who has emerged as one of their top priorities in the summer.
Everton have reportedly stolen a march on rivals Liverpool and Bayern Munich as they close in on Lyon wonderkid Malick Fofana. The Merseyside club has submitted an official bid and entered direct negotiations with the French club, while also engaging in advanced discussions with the 20-year-old’s representatives, as revealed by Fabrizio Romano.
For the first time since 2019, global hip-hop icon Drake made his long-awaited return to the Manchester stage, and Cole Palmer did not miss the opportunity to watch him live. The Chelsea forward traced his way to Co-Op Live on Friday night and was accompanied by another celebrity guest, Central Cee.
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has prematurely ended his participation in the club’s ongoing pre-season tour of Asia with a discomfort in his Achilles. The 28-year-old was flown back to England for further evaluation following concerns that arose during a training session at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday.
Chelsea appear to be edging closer to securing the services of Dutch playmaker Xavi Simons, with advanced discussions underway between the Blues and German outfit RB Leipzig, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has emerged as a priority target for the Premier League side, who are reportedly confident of finalising the transfer before the summer window shuts.
Ella Toone has voiced her support for the idea of an extra day off for England supporters, should the Lionesses triumph in the Euro 2025 final. As England prepare to face Spain in Basel on Sunday in what promises to be an electric clash, the midfielder believes that a national celebration would be a worthy tribute to the team’s efforts and to the fans who’ve rallied behind them throughout the tournament.
Lucas Paqueta, the Brazilian international and West Ham United's midfield maestro, is reportedly on the verge of being cleared of spot-fixing allegations in what would mark a significant triumph for both the player and the club. The 27-year-old had been at the center of a lengthy and complex investigation by the Football Association (FA), which accused him of intentionally picking up yellow cards in a string of Premier League matches to influence betting markets.
Arsenal’s hunt for a top-tier striker has finally concluded with the imminent arrival of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. The deal, which could reach a staggering £63.5 million, represents one of Arsenal's biggest investments in recent years as Mikel Arteta strengthens his frontline for the 2025/26 season.
Matheus Cunha has confidently brushed off suggestions that he is feeling the heat following his high-profile move to Manchester United, asserting that the responsibility of helping restore the club to its former heights is not a burden but a privilege. After arriving at Old Trafford in a £62.5 million deal, the Brazilian forward was swiftly joined by Bryan Mbeumo, who arrived from Brentford for a reported £71 million.
Newcastle United have reportedly identified Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen as a replacement for Alexander Isak, with Eddie Howe being a long-term admirer of the Norwegian striker. Isak has already informed the club of his desire to depart this summer and is believed to be the subject of serious interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Saudi giants Al-Hilal.
Real Madrid are not reportedly giving up on William Saliba as Los Blancos prepare a delegation to negotiate with Arsenal for the French defender. Xabi Alonso's focus has shifted as concerns grow over their current defensive depth, following a troubling display against Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey during the Club World Cup.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim may be preparing to revisit his plans for a new centre-forward as he reportedly continues to assess the club’s options in the transfer market. Despite having already overseen a substantial outlay exceeding £130 million this summer, in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and Matheus Cunha from Wolves, the Portuguese has not completely shut the door on bringing in additional firepower.
Newcastle United may be nearing a critical decision regarding the future of Alexander Isak, who is reportedly eager to move on from St James’ Park. While the Magpies have attempted to persuade him to remain with a lucrative long-term contract offer worth £300,000 per week, the Swedish international is said to be eyeing a move to familiar rivals Liverpool.
Milos Kerkez revealed why he chose to tackle with his head on his Liverpool debut after clips of his unorthodox defending went viral among fans. The left-back’s full-blooded commitment has only endeared him further to supporters, reinforcing why he is seen as one of Europe’s top emerging full-backs.
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has candidly shared that the potential departure of Alexander Isak would cause discontent among the squad, amidst mounting speculation linking the Swedish striker with a big-money transfer to Liverpool. Isak’s future has become the subject of intense discussion, with reports suggesting the Reds are seriously considering a move that could see them fork out as much as £150 million ($203m) for the Magpies’ talisman.
Former Premier League star Jason McAteer has raised concerns over the mental well-being of England internationals Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish, warning that the current level of scrutiny placed on elite footballers is unsustainable without adequate psychological support. With growing public expectations and underwhelming outings in an England shirt, both players have faced a storm of negative attention in recent months.
Liverpool's summer spending spree, nearing the £300 million mark, has raised eyebrows across the footballing world. But for club CEO Billy Hogan, this aggressive approach in the transfer market is not impulsive but the culmination of meticulous planning and a bold declaration of Liverpool’s ambitions on and off the pitch.
Manchester United target Douglas Luiz is reportedly desperate for a Premier League return as his relationship with Juventus has completely broken down. According to Fabrizio Romano, his representative has flown into Italy this week to evaluate the situation and explore possible options with potential suitors.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed Marcus Rashford wanted to be a "one-club man" for Manchester United before being frozen out by Ruben Amorim. The England international, who spent nearly two decades rising through the ranks at Old Trafford, found himself on the fringes after the Portuguese manager took over and has now embarked on a new journey to reignite his England dreams.
UEFA have confirmed France’s Stephanie Frappart as the referee for the highly anticipated UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final. At 41, she brings over a decade of international experience to the game, having been listed as a FIFA official since 2011. The French referee has now overseen 111 UEFA fixtures, a remarkable figure that underlines her reputation.